Fiber distribution hub with dual swing frames

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications distribution cabinet having a cabinet housing in which a first swing frame and a second swing frame are pivotably mounted.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/848,902, filed Oct. 2, 2006, which applicationis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Passive optical networks are becoming prevalent in part because serviceproviders want to deliver high bandwidth communication capabilities tocustomers. Passive optical networks are a desirable choice fordelivering high-speed communication data because they may not employactive electronic devices, such as amplifiers and repeaters, between acentral office and a subscriber termination. The absence of activeelectronic devices may decrease network complexity and/or cost and mayincrease network reliability.

FIG. 1 illustrates a network 100 deploying passive fiber optic lines. Asshown, the network 100 can include a central office 101 that connects anumber of end subscribers 105 (also called end users 105 herein) in anetwork. The central office 101 can additionally connect to a largernetwork such as the Internet (not shown) and a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN). The network 100 can also include fiber distribution hubs(FDHs) 103 having one or more optical splitters (e.g., 1-to-8 splitters,1-to-16 splitters, or 1-to-32 splitters) that generate a number ofindividual fibers that may lead to the premises of an end user 105. Thevarious lines of the network 100 can be aerial or housed withinunderground conduits.

The portion of the network 100 that is closest to central office 101 isgenerally referred to as the F1 region, where F1 is the “feeder fiber”from the central office 101. The portion of the network 100 closest tothe end users 105 can be referred to as an F2 portion of network 100.The network 100 includes a plurality of break-out locations 102 at whichbranch cables are separated out from the main cable lines. Branch cablesare often connected to drop terminals 104 that include connectorinterfaces for facilitating coupling of the fibers of the branch cablesto a plurality of different subscriber locations 105.

Splitters used in an FDH 103 can accept a feeder cable F1 having anumber of fibers and may split those incoming fibers into, for example,216 to 432 individual distribution fibers that may be associated with alike number of end user locations. In typical applications, an opticalsplitter is provided prepackaged in an optical splitter module housingand provided with a splitter output in pigtails that extend from themodule. The splitter output pigtails are typically connectorized with,for example, SC, LC, or LX.5 connectors. The optical splitter moduleprovides protective packaging for the optical splitter components in thehousing and thus provides for easy handling for otherwise fragilesplitter components. This modular approach allows optical splittermodules to be added incrementally to FDHs 103 as required.

SUMMARY

Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to fiber optic cable systems.

In example systems, a fiber distribution system includes one or moretelecommunications cabinets (e.g., fiber distribution hubs) that providean interface between the central office and the subscribers.

Example telecommunications cabinets include cabinets housing first andsecond swing frames configured to pivot about generally parallel pivotaxes.

Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to cable routing configurationsadapted for use with a dual swing frame cabinet having centrally locatedpivot axes.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and to combinations of features. It is to be understood thatboth the forgoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosedherein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a passive fiber optic network;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an example telecommunicationscabinet having a cabinet housing with front doors shown in a closedposition;

FIG. 3 is a front, perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with thefront and rear doors in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a rear, perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with therear doors removed;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing a first swing frame and asecond swing frame pivotably mounted within the cabinet of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with the front doors inthe open position and the first and second swing frames visible throughan open front;

FIG. 7 is a front, perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with thefront doors removed to reveal the front of the first and second swingframes;

FIG. 8 is a front, perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with therear doors removed, the first swing frame pivoted within the cabinetinterior, and the second swing frame pivoted out of the cabinetinterior;

FIG. 9 is a front, perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 2 with thefirst swing frame pivoted out of the cabinet interior and the secondswing frame pivoted within the cabinet interior;

FIG. 10 is a rear, perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of first and second cable routing pathsaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a first segment of each of the cablerouting paths of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a second segment of each of the cablerouting paths of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a third segment of each of the cablerouting paths of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a left, rear perspective view of the first swing frameremoved from the cabinet housing and being pre-cabled with stub cables;

FIG. 16 is a right, rear perspective view of the second swing frameremoved from the cabinet housing and being pre-cabled with stub cables;

FIG. 17 is a front, perspective view of the first and second swingframes removed from the cabinet housing, splitter pigtails being routedover the front of the swing frames along the second segment of therouting cable paths of FIGS. 11 and 13;

FIG. 18 is a rear view of the cabinet of FIG. 3 with the rear doorsremoved to reveal the rear sides of the first and second swing framesand stub cables precabled from a mounting bulkhead to terminationmodules on each swing frame;

FIG. 19 is a right, rear perspective view of the first swing frameremoved from the cabinet housing and being cabled with pass-throughfibers;

FIG. 20 is a left, rear perspective view of the second swing frameremoved from the cabinet housing and being cabled with pass-throughfibers;

FIG. 21 is a partial, rear perspective view of the cable access regionand rear lip of the cabinet housing of FIG. 3 with the rear doorsremoved;

FIG. 22 is a partial, rear perspective view of a panel arrangementcovering the cable access region and an access panel covering a portionof the lip of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a top view of the panel arrangement of FIG. 22 removed fromthe cabinet housing;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the panel arrangement of FIG. 23 installed onthe bottom panel of the cabinet housing of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 25 is an operational flow for a process for replacing the cabinethousing without disturbing the internal components of the cabinethousing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, an example telecommunications cabinet 200,such as a fiber distribution hub (FDH), having features that areexamples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of thepresent disclosure is shown. The cabinet 200 provides an interconnectinterface for optical transmission signals at a location in the networkwhere operational access and reconfiguration are desired. Embodiments ofthe cabinet 200 can provide termination, splicing, interconnection,splitting, and combinations thereof. As the term is used herein, “aconnection” between fibers includes both direct and indirectconnections.

A cabinet 200 typically administers connections between fiber opticcables and passive optical splitters in an Outside Plant (OSP)environment (see FIG. 1). For example, as noted above, a cabinet 200 canbe used to splice or otherwise connect one or more feeder cables, splitthe feeder cables, and terminate the split feeder cables to subscribercables. In addition, the cabinet 200 is designed to accommodate a rangeof alternative sizes and fiber counts and support factory installationof pigtails, fanouts and splitters.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, one example telecommunications cabinet 200includes a cabinet housing 201 that houses internal components, asdescribed further below. In one embodiment, the cabinet housing 201 hasa length L extending from a first side panel 206 to a second side panel208 (FIG. 4), a width W extending from an open front 203 (FIG. 3), to anopen rear 205 (FIG. 4), and a height H extending from a top panel 202 toa bottom panel 204 (FIG. 4). The top, bottom and side panels 202, 204,206, 208 define a cabinet interior accessible through the open front 203(FIG. 3), and through the open rear 205 (FIG. 4) of the cabinet housing201.

A first front door 212 and a second front door 214 (FIG. 8) mount to thefront 203 of the cabinet housing 201. The front doors 212, 214 pivotfrom a closed position, in which the doors 212, 214 cover the open front203 (see FIG. 2), to an open position to facilitate access through theopen front 203 to the internal components mounted within cabinet housing201. In one embodiment, the front doors 212, 214 include a lock 211. Insome embodiments, first and second rear doors 216, 218 pivotably mountto the rear of the cabinet housing 201 (FIG. 3). The rear doors 216, 218pivot to a closed position to cover the open rear 205 and to an openposition (see FIG. 3) to facilitate access to the internal components ofthe cabinet 200 through the open rear 205. In alternative embodiments,the open rear side of the cabinet can be enclosed by a rear panel.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cabinet housing 201 typically houses a mountingpost 220 (also see FIG. 6) extending from the top panel 202 to thebottom panel 204 at the front 203 of the cabinet housing 201. Themounting post 220 has a width W_(MP) (FIG. 5). Typically, the mountingpost 220 is positioned at approximately equal distances from the firstand second side panels 206, 208. In certain embodiments, the mountingpost 220 is removably coupled to the cabinet housing 201.

The cabinet housing 201 also includes a cable access region 210 (FIG. 4)defining an opening through which cables can enter and exit the interiorof the cabinet housing 201. Typically, the cable access region 210 isdefined in the bottom panel 204 at the rear 205 of the cabinet housing201. In other embodiments, however, the cable access region 210 can alsobe provided in a rear panel (not shown) or in one of the side panels206, 208.

A mounting bulkhead 225 (see FIGS. 21 and 22) extends rearwardly withinthe cabinet interior from the mounting post 220 to the open rear 205.The mounting bulkhead 225 generally extends over the cable access region210. Cable management devices, such as cable clamps 227 (FIG. 22), areprovided on at least one side of the mounting bulkhead 225. Typically,the cable management devices 227 are provided on both sides 222, 224 ofthe mounting bulkhead 225. Telecommunications cables (e.g., feedercables and subscriber cables) extend through the cable access region 210and couple to the mounting bulkhead 225 using the cable managementdevices 227 (FIG. 22).

In addition, the cabinet housing 201 can include one or more carryhandles 219 (FIG. 2) for facilitating deployment of cabinet 200 at adesired location. The handles 219 can be in the shape of loops and canbe used to position the cabinet using a crane. In particular, the cranecan lower the cabinet housing 201 into an underground region. In someembodiments, the loops 219 are removable or can be adjusted to notprotrude from the top cabinet panel 202.

The cabinet housing 201 is typically manufactured from heavy gaugealuminum and is NEMA-4X rated. The cabinet housing 201 is configured toprovide protection against rain, wind, dust, rodents and otherenvironmental contaminants. At the same time, the cabinet housing 201remains relatively lightweight for easy installation, and breathable toprevent accumulation of moisture in the unit. An aluminum constructionwith a heavy powder coat finish also provides for corrosion resistance.Other materials can be used without limitation.

Different sizes of the cabinet 200 are typically available to correspondto different subscriber cable fiber counts including, for example, 144,216, and 432. Alternative sizes for the cabinet 200 can be used withoutlimitation. Additional details regarding example telecommunicationcabinet housings similar to cabinet housing 201 can be found in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/203,157 filed on Aug. 15, 2005, theentirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 10, the internal components will now bediscussed. As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting bulkhead 225 generallydivides the interior into a first portion 222 and a second portion 224.A first swing frame 300 is pivotably mounted to a first side 226 of themounting post 220 within the first portion 222 of the cabinet interior(FIG. 5). A second swing frame 300′ is pivotably mounted to a second,opposite side 228 of the mounting post 220 within the second portion 224of the cabinet interior (FIG. 5). In the example illustrated in FIGS. 6and 7, hinges 314 couple front sides of the swing frames 300, 300′ tothe mounting post 220.

In the example shown, a first termination region 350 and a secondtermination region 350′ are provided on the first and second swingframes 300, 300′, respectively (FIGS. 5 and 6). Each of the swing frames300, 300′ also includes a splitter region 320, 320′, a cable managementregion 330, 330′, and a storage region 340, 340′, respectively.Typically, the splitter regions 320, 320′ are located above thetermination regions 350, 350′ and the storage regions 340, 340′ arelocated beneath the termination regions 350, 350′ (FIG. 5). Each swingframe 300, 300′ also can include a cable interface region 310, 310′(FIG. 11) in the rear of the swing frame 300, 300′. In otherembodiments, however, one or more of these regions can be located withinthe cabinet housing 201, but not on either of the swing frames 300,300′.

The first swing frame 300 is configured to pivot about a first pivotaxis A_(P), which extends generally parallel to the mounting post 220(FIG. 5). The second swing frame 300′ is configured to pivot about asecond pivot axis A_(P)′, which extends generally parallel to themounting post 220 and is spaced from the first pivot axis A_(P)approximately by the width W_(MP) of the mounting post 220 (FIG. 5).Typically, both pivot axes A_(P), A_(P)′ are located adjacent the front203 of the cabinet housing 201 (FIG. 7).

As shown in FIGS. 8-10, each swing frame 300, 300′ is configured topivot out of the cabinet interior through the open front 203. In someexample embodiments, the swing frame 300 can be pivoted approximatelyninety degrees or more out of the cabinet 201. The swing frames 300,300′ can include latches or other structures 311 (FIG. 17) toselectively lock the swing frame into a first, “swung in” position andinto a second, “swung out” position.

Pivoting the swing frames 300, 300′ out of the cabinet housing 201facilitates access to components installed on the swing frames 300, 300′for cleaning, testing, maintenance, additions, etc. For example, asshown in FIG. 8, pivoting the second swing frame 300′ into an openposition facilitates access to a rear side of the termination region350′, the splitter region 320′, and the cable interface region 310′. Asshown in FIG. 10, pivoting the swing frames 300, 300′ into the openposition also facilitates access to the cable access region 210 and themounting bulkhead 225 through the open rear 205 of the cabinet housing201.

Referring now to FIGS. 11-20, telecommunications cables can be routedwithin the cabinet housing 201 according to various cable routingschemes. FIG. 11 shows one example cable routing scheme by whichincoming fibers can be optically coupled to outgoing fibers. Examples ofincoming fibers include the fibers of feeder cables 410 that enter thecabinet housing 201 and intermediate fibers (e.g., connectorizedpigtails 420 extending from splitters and patching fibers/jumpers) thatconnect the feeder cable fibers to the termination regions 350, 350′.Examples of outgoing fibers include the fibers of subscriber cables 440and the fibers of stub cables 430 that connect the subscriber cablefibers to the termination regions 350, 350′.

The cable routing scheme of FIG. 11 includes a first cable routing pathand a second cable routing path. The first cable routing path directsoptical fibers from the cable access region 210 to the terminationregion 350 on the first swing frame 300 and back to the cable accessregion 210. The second cable routing path directs optical fibers fromthe cable access region 210 to the termination region 350′ on the secondswing frame 300′ and back to the cable access region 210. Typically, thefirst cable routing path mirrors the second cable routing path.

In the example shown, the first and second cable routing paths includethree main segments. The first segment is shown in FIG. 12; the secondsegment is shown in FIG. 13; and the third segment is shown in FIG. 14.As shown in FIG. 12, feeder cable fibers are initially routed into thecabinet housing 201 through the cable access region 210. In certainembodiments, the fibers of the feeder cables 410 can include ribbonfibers. An example feeder cable 410 may include twelve to forty-eightindividual fibers connected to a service provider central office 101(FIG. 1).

After passing through the cable access region 210, the fibers of thefeeder cable can be routed to one or both swing frames 300, 300′ alongthe cable routing paths. In one example embodiment, after entering thecabinet housing 201, the fibers of a feeder cable 410 are routed alongthe first segment of the cable routing path. Typically, the feeder cable410 is routed up one of the sides 222, 224 of the mounting bulkhead 225,down a rear side of one or both of the swing frames 300, 300′ adjacentthe mounting bulkhead 225, and then back up the swing frame 300, 300′ tothe splitter region 320, 320′ (see also FIG. 18).

In the example shown in FIG. 12, the fibers of a first feeder cable 410are routed to a first feeder cable interface 310 (e.g., a fiber opticadapter module, a splice tray, etc.) installed on the first swing frame300. At the feeder cable interfaces 310, one or more of the fibers ofthe feeder cable 410 are individually connected to separate splitterinput fibers 415 that are routed to the first splitter region 320. Inother embodiments, however, the fibers of the feeder cable 410 can berouted directly to the first splitter region 320, thereby bypassing oreliminating the need for an intermediate feeder cable interface 310.

At the first splitter region 320, the splitter input fibers 415 (or thefibers of the feeder cables 410) are connected to separate splitters 500at which each of the fibers can be split into multiple pigtails 420(FIG. 13). Each pigtail 420 has a connectorized end 425. The pigtails420 generally extend along the second segment of the cable routing pathfrom the splitter region 320 to the cable management regions 330 (FIG.13). When the splitter pigtails 420 are not in service, theconnectorized ends 425 can be temporarily stored on one or more storagereceptacles 610 (FIG. 13) mounted at the storage regions 340. When thepigtails 420 are needed for service, the pigtails 420 are routed alongthe second segment of the first cable routing path from the splitters500 to termination adapters 710 (FIG. 13) provided at the terminationregions 350.

In some embodiments, pigtails 420 extending from the splitter region 320on the first swing frame 300 can be routed along the cable managementpanel 330 to the first termination region 350. In other embodiments,however, the pigtails 420 can be routed from the splitter region 320 onthe first swing frame 300 to the termination region 350′ on the secondswing frame 300′ (FIGS. 13 and 17). In such embodiments, the pigtails420 are typically routed down along the cable management region 330 ofthe first swing frame 300. The pigtails 420 are then routed past themounting post 220 to the second swing frame 300′ and up the cablemanagement region 330′ of the second swing frame 300′ to the secondtermination region 350′ (see FIGS. 13 and 17).

In other embodiments, one or more fibers of the feeder cable 410 are notconnected to any of the splitters 500, but rather are connected throughthe interface device 310 to pass-through fibers 412 (see FIGS. 19 and20), which are routed past the splitter region to connect to thetermination region 350. By refraining from splitting a fiber of a feedercable 410, a stronger signal can be sent to one of the subscribers 105(FIG. 1). The connectorized ends of the pass-through fibers 412 can bestored at the storage region 340 when not in use. In other embodiments,a feeder cable 410 having a connectorized end (not shown) can be routeddirectly to the termination region 350.

At the termination region 350, the connectorized pigtails 420 areconnected to the connectorized fibers of stub cables 430 or tointermediary cables (not shown) optically coupled to the stub cables430. The stub cables 430 are directed along the third segment of thecable routing path back to the cable access region 210 and out of thecabinet housing 201 (see FIG. 14). In the example shown, the stub cables430 are routed down the rear side of the termination region, up the rearside of the cable management panel 330, and down one side of themounting bulkhead 225 to the cable access region 210 (FIG. 18).

The stub cables 430 are optically coupled to subscriber cables 440 at acoupling location 280 (FIG. 14). In certain embodiments, the couplinglocation 280 is housed within a generally hollow base 240 on which thecabinet housing 201 is mounted (FIGS. 2 and 3). The base 240 defines atleast one access panel (not shown) through which the interior of thebase 240 and, hence, the coupling location 280, can be accessed tooptically couple the stub cables 430, 430′ to the subscriberdistribution cables 440. In various embodiments, the stub cables 430range in length from about 25 feet to about 300 feet.

A typical subscriber cable 440 forms the F2 portion of a network (seeFIG. 1) and typically includes a plurality of fibers (e.g., 144, 216 or432 fibers) that are routed from the cabinets 200 to the subscriberlocations 105 (FIG. 1). The termination regions 350, 350′, therefore,are the dividing line between incoming fibers and the outgoing fibers.In other embodiments, the subscriber cables 440 can be routed directlyinto the cabinet housing 201. These subscriber cables 440 are connectedeither to the termination regions 350, 350′ or to intermediary fibers(not shown).

The above described cable routing scheme in combination with theplacement of the pivot axes A_(P), A_(P)′ of the swing frames 300, 300′provides excess fiber length along the points of flex for fibers routedwithin the cabinet 200. Each segment of the cable routing path routesfibers along a path parallel to and adjacent the axes Ap, Ap¹. Routingthe fibers up and down the cabinet interior adjacent the mounting post220 inhibits twisting, bending, or kinking of the fibers when the swingframes 300, 300′ are pivoted between the “swung in” and “swung out”positions. For example, the fibers can distribute any rotationalmovement caused by pivoting the swing frames 300, 300′ along the lengthof the fibers.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, in certain embodiments, the terminationregions 350, 350′ can be fully loaded with adapters and pre-terminatedin the factory with 435, 435′ stub cables 430, 430′ (see FIGS. 15, 16,and 18). At the factory, connectorized ends of the stub cable fibers430, 430′ are coupled to the termination regions 350, 350′ (e.g.,inserted into the rear sides of termination adapters 710 installed atthe termination region 350, 350′) (FIGS. 15 and 16). Preconfiguring thecabinet 200 reduces the chance that cabling will be done incorrectly.During deployment of the cabinet 200, the other ends of the stub cablefibers 430, 430′ are spliced or otherwise connected in the field to thefibers of one or more subscriber distribution cables 440 at the couplinglocation 280. The subscriber cable 440 can then be routed from thecabinet 200 to subscriber locations 105 (FIG. 1).

Some of the fibers of the feeder cable 410 can be protected within thecabinet housing 201 by loose buffer tubes. Fan-out blocks can beprovided at suitable locations within the cabinet housing 201 toseparate and join ribbon fibers. Spools, clips, holders, brackets orother cable management structures can also be provided within thecabinet housing 201 to facilitate managing the fibers of cables 410,420, 430, 440 routed within of the cabinet housing 201.

Referring to FIGS. 15-20, the components of the swing frames 300, 300′will now be discussed in more detail. For clarity, only the componentsmounted to the first swing frame 300 will be discussed. However, itshould be understood that the second swing frame 300′ typically mirrorsthe first swing frame 300 and so the description applies to both swingframes 300, 300′. Alternatively, each of the components could be mountedelsewhere within the cabinet housing 201.

In general, the swing frame 300 includes a primary bulkhead 301extending between a top panel 302 and a bottom panel 304 (FIG. 15). Thesplitter region 320 is provided on the top panel 302 and the cableinterface region 310 is provided on the bottom panel 304. Typically, thestorage region 340 is provided on the front of the primary bulkhead 301(FIG. 17) and the termination region 350 extends through a portion ofthe primary bulkhead 301 from the front to the rear (FIGS. 19-20). Cablemanagement devices 309, such as bend limiters and clips, can be providedon the rear of the primary bulkhead 301 opposite the storage region 340(FIGS. 15 and 16).

A secondary bulkhead 303 also extends between the top and bottom panels302, 304. Cable management devices 308 can be provided on the rear ofthe secondary bulkhead 303 (FIGS. 19 and 20). One edge of the secondarybulkhead 303 couples to the primary panel 301 (FIG. 17). The oppositeedge of the secondary bulkhead 303 couples to a hinge-mounting panel 305(FIGS. 19 and 20). Hinges 314 or other fasteners pivotably couple thehinge-mounting panel 305 to the mounting post 220 (FIG. 3).

The cable management region 330 is provided on the front of thesecondary bulkhead 303 (FIG. 17). In the illustrated example, the cablemanagement region 330 includes a ramp 332 extending downwardly from thetop panel 302 to the front side of the secondary bulkhead 303 (see FIG.6). The cables can be routed through the radius limiters 334, 336 (FIG.6) or other cable management structures provided on the front of thesecondary bulkhead 303 either to the storage region 340 or to thetermination region 350 on either of the swing frames 300, 300′. The ramp303 is typically provided within close proximity of the mounting post220 to provide a sufficient length of splitter fiber 420 adjacent thepivot axes A_(P), A_(P)′ to inhibit kinking the fiber 420 as discussedabove (FIG. 6).

The splitter region 320 includes a splitter module housing 322 providedon the top panel 302. The splitter module housing 322 is configured toprotect, organize, and secure the splitters 500. The splitter modulehousing 322 can be constructed in various sizes to accommodate differentnumbers of splitter modules 500. The module housing 322 is furtherconfigured to enable the splitters 500 to receive an input fiber, suchas splitter input fiber 415 (FIG. 11), on one end of the splitter 500and to output multiple fibers, such as splitter pigtails 420 (FIG. 11),from the opposing end of the splitter 500.

Typically, each splitter 500 receives between one and four fibers 415and outputs between two and sixteen fibers 420 for every input fiber415. In one example embodiment, four input fibers 415 enter a splitter500 and thirty-two pigtail fibers 420 exit the splitter 500. Furtherinformation regarding example splitters 500 can be found in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/354,297, filed Feb. 13, 2006, entitled “FiberOptic Splitter Module;” U.S. application Ser. No. 10/980,978, filed Nov.3, 2004, entitled “Fiber Optic Module And System Including RearConnectors;” U.S. application Ser. No. 11/138,063, filed May 25, 2005,entitled “Fiber Optic Splitter Module;” U.S. application Ser. No.11/215,837, filed Aug. 29, 2005, entitled “Fiber Optic Splitter ModuleWith Connector Access;” and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/321,696, filedDec. 28, 2005, entitled “Splitter Modules For Fiber Distribution Hubs,”the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In addition, the swing frame 300 can be configured with differentinterface devices 310 (see FIG. 11) to receive incoming feeder cables410. Information regarding one example type of interface device, anadapter pack, can be found in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/095,033,filed Mar. 31, 2005, and entitled “Adapter Block Including ConnectorStorage;” and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,497,444; 5,717,810; 5,758,003; and6,591,051, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference. Any other suitable type of interface device, such as a splicetray, can also be used. Splitter input cables 415 (FIGS. 15 and 16) orpass-through cables 412 (FIGS. 19 and 20) are routed from the interfacedevices 310, up the swing frame 300 through cable management structures316, and to the splitter region 320 on the top panel 302 (FIGS. 15 and16).

As shown in FIG. 17, the storage region 340 also defines one or moreopenings 342 into which storage modules 610 (see FIG. 11) can bemounted. The connectorized pigtails 420 of the splitters 500 aretypically stored in one or more of the storage modules 610 prior toinstallation on the swing frame 300, thereby enabling the splitters 500and storage modules 610 to be added incrementally to the swing frame300. Additional information regarding the storage modules 610 can befound in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/610,325, filed on Jun. 30, 2003,entitled “Fiber Optic Connector Holder and Method; “U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/613,764, filed on Jul. 2, 2003, entitled “TelecommunicationsConnection Cabinet;” and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/871,555, filed onJun. 18, 2004, entitled “Multi-position Fiber Optic Connector Holder andMethod,” the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The termination region 350 generally includes multiple terminationadapters 710 configured to receive and optically couple two terminatedoptical fibers. The termination adapters 710 extend from a front to arear of the primary bulkhead 301. Typically, the primary bulkhead 301defines one or more columns of openings 352 (FIG. 7) through which theadapters 710 extend. Strips 359 (FIG. 17) separate the openings 352 ofeach column and provide surface area for adhering labeling information(e.g., connector designation).

In certain embodiments, the termination adapters 710 are mounted to oneor more termination modules 700 which can mount to the primary bulkhead301. Each termination module 700 includes at least one row oftermination adapters 710 for connecting the fibers of the feeder cable410 to the fibers of the subscriber cable 440. Each adapter 710 has afront end 712 (FIG. 17) and a rear end 714 (FIG. 15). The front end 712of each adapter 710 is configured to retain a connector 425 of a fiber420 interfaced with the feeder cable 410. The rear end 714 of eachadapter 710 is configured to retain a connector 435 of a fiberinterfaced with the subscriber cable 440 (or stub cable 430).

As time passes and the number of subscribers increases, additionaltermination adapters 710 can be added to the swing frame 300. Forexample, one or more termination module 700 can be installed on theswing frame 300. Each termination module 700 includes a termination leg702 and a management leg 704 arranged in a substantially L-shapedconfiguration (FIGS. 15 and 16). In some embodiments, a linking section706 connects the termination leg 702 to the management leg 704 (FIGS. 15and 16). The linking section 706 can be monolithically formed with thetermination leg 702 and the management leg 704 (e.g., the module 700 canbe constructed as a single piece of bent sheet metal).

In some embodiments, a front side of the termination leg 702 of thetermination module 700 mounts to the rear side of the primary bulkhead301, for example, using screws or other temporary or permanent fastenerssuch as bolts, and rivets. The management leg 704 extends generallyrearwardly from an inner side (i.e., the side nearest the mounting post220) of the termination leg 702 (FIGS. 15 and 16). Typically, themanagement leg 704 extends rearwardly from where the primary bulkhead301 couples to the secondary bulkhead 303 (see FIGS. 19 and 20). Themanagement legs 704 of the termination modules 700 can be secured to oneanother or to the swing frame 300 as shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 19, and 20.

The termination leg 702 defines openings in which the adapters 710 canbe installed. The adapters 710 typically extend from the termination leg702 and through the openings 352 (FIG. 19) defined in the primarybulkhead 301 so that the connectors 425 enter the front ends 712 of theadapters 710 from a front side of the primary bulkhead 301 and theconnectors 435 of the subscriber cable 440 enter the adapters 710 from arear side of the primary bulkhead 301.

Each management leg 704 includes an appropriate number of fanouts 707(FIGS. 19 and 20) to accommodate the adapters 710 on the terminationmodule 700. For example, in one embodiment, the termination leg 702 of amodule 700 includes six rows of adapters 710, each row having twelveadapters 710, and the management leg 704 includes six 12:1 fanouts 707.As the term is used herein, a 12:1 fanout is a fanout configured toreceive twelve optical fibers and to output a single cable ribboncontaining the twelve fibers. In another embodiment, nine 8:1 fanouts orthree 24:1 fanouts could be provided instead of the 12:1 fanouts. Instill other embodiments, the fanouts 707 can be used to upjacket thefiber.

In some embodiments, the management leg 704 of the termination module700 also includes at least one cable management device 713 (FIG. 9) formanaging excess fiber length of the stub cable fibers 430. In suchsystems, the fibers 430 are typically routed first to the cablemanagement device 713 and then to the fanouts 707. Examples of cablemanagement devices 713 include one or more radius bend limiters, one ormore fiber clips, and other such devices.

The management leg 704 of the termination module 700 typically definesan opening 708 (FIGS. 19 and 20) through which the stub cable fibers 430are routed from the cable management devices 713 to the fanouts 707.Upon exiting the fanouts 707, the ribbon fibers are routed towards thebottom panel 304 through the cable management structures 308 provided onthe rear side of the secondary bulkhead 303 (FIG. 18). The ribbon fibersare then routed back up towards the top panel 302 through the cablemanagement structures 307 provided on the hinge-mounting panel 305 anddown a side 222, 224 of the mounting bulkhead 225 to the cable accessregion 210 (see FIG. 18).

As discussed above, in some embodiments, the termination modules 700 canbe precabled at the factory to include connectorized fibers of a stubcable 430 coupled to each adapter 710. The connector 435 of each stubcable fiber is mounted within the rear end 714 of an adapter 710 and thestub cable fibers are routed from the connector 710 to the fanouts 707provided on the management leg 704 of the termination module 700. Insuch cases, dust caps can be provided on the front ends 712 of theadapters 710 to protect the terminated stub fibers 430 from dust, dirt,and other contaminants.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-24, the cabinet housing 201 can be replacedwithout disrupting the internal components of the cabinet 200. This“reskinnable” feature is advantageous if the cabinet housing 201 everbecomes damaged (e.g., if the cabinet housing 201 sustains structuraldamage due to a collision with an automobile). In general, the cabinethousing 201 is designed to be separable from the mounting post 220, themounting bulkhead 225, and the swing frames 300, 300′.

In addition, the cabinet housing 201 is configured to be replacedwithout removing the feeder cables 410 and stub cables 430 from themounting bulkhead 225 (FIG. 21). To this end, a panel arrangement 250(FIG. 23) is provided over the cable access region 210 to protect theinternal components of the cabinet 200 from environmental contamination(see FIG. 22). The panel arrangement 250 is removably coupled to thecabinet housing 201 to cover the opening defined in the cable accessregion 210. The panel arrangement 250 typically includes multiple piecesthat cooperate to form one or more apertures 258 through which cables(e.g., feeder cables 410 and stub cables 430) can extend (see FIG. 22).

One example panel arrangement 250 is shown in FIG. 23. The example panelarrangement 250 includes an intermediate panel 254, a first end panel252 arranged on one side of the intermediate panel 254, and a second endpanel 256 arranged on an opposite side of the intermediate panel 254.The inside edge of each of the end panels 252, 256 forms one or moreconcave detents 259. The outer edges of the intermediate panel 254 alsoform one or more concave detents 259.

When arranged, the concave detents 259 on the first end panel 252cooperate with the concave detents 259 on the intermediate panel 254 toform a first set of openings 258 through which the cables 410, 430 canextend. The concave detents 259 on the second end panel 252 alsocooperate with the concave detents 259 on the intermediate panel 254 toform a second set of openings 258 through which the cables 410, 430 canextend.

The first and second end panels 252, 256 each have a fastening section253 extending along the outer edge, opposite the intermediate panel 254.Each fastening section includes one or more apertures 251 through whichfasteners may be inserted. The intermediate panel 254 has at least onefastening section 257 extending outwardly from the intermediate panel254 towards the open front 203 of the cabinet housing 201. Typically,the fastening section 257 includes first and second protruding tabsdefining apertures 251. The intermediate panel 254 also includes aflange 255 extending towards the open rear 205 of the cabinet. Aperturescan also be provided on the flange 255. The panels 252, 254, 256 caneach be installed over the cable access region 210 by insertingfasteners through the apertures 251 in the fastening sections 253 (FIG.22).

In some embodiment, a lip 260 (FIG. 22) extends upwardly from therearward edge of the bottom panel 204 of the cabinet housing 201. Thelip 260 inhibits optical fibers from spilling out from the cabinetinterior. Generally, the lip 260 is L-shaped. In one embodiment, the lip260 is interrupted (e.g., defines an opening or space) at a centralportion 264 of the lip 260. Typically, the opening defined by the lip260 is continuous with the opening defined by the cable access region210 (see FIG. 4). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, thelength L_(L) of the interruption generally matches a length L_(A) of thecable access region 210.

A lip access panel 265 can be removably coupled to the lip 260 to coverthe interruption in the lip 260 (see FIGS. 21 and 22). As shown in FIG.22, one embodiment of the access panel 265 can extend over an outer andbottom portion of the lip 260. Removing the access panel 265 and thepanel arrangement 250 reveals the continuous opening defined by thecable access region 210 and the central portion 264 of the lip 260 (seeFIG. 4).

FIG. 24 illustrates a top view of the panel arrangement 250 installedover the bottom panel 204 of the cabinet housing 201. The panelarrangement is also coupled to a mounting post bracket 270. The mountingpost bracket 270 includes a first U-shaped member 272 and a secondU-shaped member 274 spaced from the first member 272 to define anaperture 275. A first fastening side 276 extends from one side of boththe first member 272 and the second member 274. Second and thirdfastening sides 273, 277 extend from the opposite side of the firstmember 272 and second member 274, respectively.

The mounting post bracket 270 is secured to the bottom panel 204 of thecabinet housing 201. In general, the mounting post bracket 270 isarranged to receive the bottom end of the mounting post 220 within theaperture 275. The mounting post bracket 270 is further configured tofacilitate releasing the mounting post 220 from the mounting postbracket 270. The intermediate panel 254 can also be removably secured tothe mounting post bracket 270. For example, the protruding tabs 257 cancouple to the first and second members 272, 274 as shown in FIG. 24.

FIG. 25 illustrates an operational flow for an example process forreplacing the housing 201 of a telecommunications cabinet 200. Theprocess 2400 begins at start module 2402 and proceeds to a first removeoperation 2404. The first remove operation 2404 removes the access panel265 from the lip 260 on the cabinet housing 201 to reveal the opening inthe lip 260. A second remove operation 2406 removes the panels 252, 254,256 of the panel arrangement 250 from the cabinet housing 201 to exposethe opening defined by the cable access region 210.

A third remove operation 2408 removes any grounding wires 268 extendingbetween the cables coupled to the mounting bulkhead 225 and the cabinethousing 201 (see FIG. 21). A fourth remove operation 2410 uncouples themounting post 220 and mounting bulkhead 225 from the cabinet housing201. For example, the remove operation 2410 can disengage the mountingpost 220 from the mounting bracket 270. A stabilize operation 2412 propsor otherwise maintains the internal components of the cabinet 200 in anupright or otherwise safe position while disengaged from the cabinethousing 201.

A fifth remove operation 2414 slides (or otherwise moves) the cabinethousing 201 away from the internal components. For example, the fifthremove operation 2414 can slide the cabinet housing 201 forwardly of thebase 240 until the internal components have passed through the open rear205 and cleared the housing 201. A replace operation 2418 installs a newcabinet housing around the internal components. Typically, the newcabinet housing also includes a continuous opening defined by a cableaccess region and an interrupted lip through which the cables can passwhen the new housing is being installed. The mounting post 220 issecured to the new cabinet housing. The process 2400 ends at stop module2418.

It will be appreciated that the fiber distribution hub 200 can bemanufactured in a variety of different sizes. However, to promotemanufacturing efficiency, it is preferred for the splitters to bemanufactured with pigtails having uniform lengths. To accommodate thedifferent sizes of fiber distribution hubs, the pigtails are preferablydesigned long enough to work in the largest fiber distribution hubexpected to be used. For the smaller distribution hubs, excess lengthprovided in the pigtails can be taken up by routing the excess lengththrough various cable management structures.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A telecommunications cabinet adapted to provide an interface betweenat least a first incoming fiber, a second incoming fiber, and aplurality of outgoing fibers, the telecommunications cabinet comprising:a cabinet housing having a front, a rear, a first end, and a second endopposite the first end, the cabinet housing including a first door foraccessing an interior of the cabinet housing from the front of thecabinet housing; a mounting post extending within the interior of thecabinet housing from the first end to the second end, the mounting postdividing the interior into a first portion and a second portion; a firstswing frame pivotably mounted to a first side of the mounting post atthe front of the cabinet housing, the first swing frame being movablebetween a first position in which the first swing frame is inside thefirst portion of the cabinet housing interior and a second position inwhich the first swing frame extends at least partially outside the frontof the cabinet housing; a second swing frame pivotably mounted to asecond, opposite side of the mounting post at the front of the cabinethousing, the second swing frame being movable between a first positionin which the second swing frame is inside the second portion of thecabinet housing interior and a second position in which the second swingframe extends at least partially outside the front of the cabinethousing; a first termination region provided on the first swing frame,the first termination region configured to optically couple the firstincoming fiber to some of the outgoing fibers; and a second terminationregion provided on the second swing frame, the second termination regionconfigured to optically couple the second incoming fiber to others ofthe outgoing fibers.
 2. The telecommunications cabinet of claim 1,further comprising: a first splitter region provided on the first swingframe, the first splitter region configured to house at least onesplitter configured to receive the first incoming fiber and to output aplurality of pigtail fibers optically coupled to the first incomingfiber; and a second splitter region provided on the second swing frame,the second splitter region configured to house at least one splitterconfigured to receive the second incoming fiber and to output aplurality of pigtail fibers optically coupled to the second incomingfiber.
 3. The telecommunications cabinet of claim 2, wherein the firstsplitter region is positioned above the first termination region and thesecond splitter region is positioned above the second terminationregion.
 4. The telecommunications cabinet of claim 2, furthercomprising: a first storage region provided on the first swing frame,the first storage region configured to receive the splitter pigtailsoutput from either the splitter housed in the first splitter region orthe splitter housed in the second splitter region.
 5. A fiberdistribution hub comprising: a cabinet housing defining an interior, thecabinet housing including a cable access region through which cables canenter and exit the interior of the cabinet housing; a first swing framepivotably mounted within the interior of the cabinet housing, the firstswing frame being pivotable about a first pivot axis, the first swingframe including a first termination region, a first splitter regionlocated at a first end of the first termination region, and a firststorage region located at a second, opposite end of the firsttermination region; and a second swing frame pivotably mounted withinthe interior of the cabinet housing, the second swing frame beingpivotable about a second pivot axis, the second pivot axis beinggenerally parallel with the first pivot axis, the second swing frameincluding a second termination region, a second splitter region locatedat a first end of the second termination region, and a second storageregion located at a second, opposite end of the second terminationregion; wherein the first swing frame defines a first cable routingpath, the first cable routing path including a first path segment alongwhich a first feeder cable can enter the cabinet housing, a second pathsegment along which at least one connectorized cable can extend from thefirst splitter region to the first termination region, and a third pathsegment along which a first subscriber cable can exit the cabinethousing; wherein the second swing frame defines a second cable routingpath, the second cable routing path including a first path segment alongwhich a second feeder cable can enter the cabinet housing, a second pathsegment along which at least one connectorized cable can extend from thesecond splitter region to the second termination region, and a thirdpath segment along which a second subscriber cable can exit the cabinethousing; and wherein the first, second, and third path segments of thefirst cable path extend generally parallel to and adjacent the firstpivot axis; and wherein the first, second, and third path segments ofthe second cable path extend generally parallel to and adjacent thesecond pivot axis.
 6. Method for reskinning a cabinet, the methodcomprising opening a door of a cabinet to obtain access to an interiorof the cabinet through an open side of the cabinet, the open side facingin a first direction, the cabinet housing a mounting post, a first swingframe pivotably coupled to the mounting post, and a second swing framepivotably coupled to the mounting post; removing an access panel from alip extending partially over the open side of the cabinet to reveal afirst aperture extending in the first direction through the lip;removing a panel arrangement from a cable access region of the cabinetto reveal a second aperture defined in the cable access region, thesecond aperture being continuous with the first aperture; uncoupling themounting post from the cabinet; and sliding the cabinet in a seconddirection opposite the first direction, wherein the mounting post, thefirst swing frame, and the second swing frame do not slide with thecabinet.
 7. A telecommunications cabinet comprising: a housing definingan interior and housing internal components installed within theinterior of the housing, the housing defining an open side leading tothe interior, the open side facing a first direction; a cable accessregion defined in the housing adjacent the open side, the cable accessregion defining an opening through which cables enter and exit theinterior of the housing; a first cable extending through the cableaccess region and into the interior of the housing; and a panelarrangement removably coupled to the housing over the cable accessregion, the panel arrangement including an intermediate panel, a firstend panel, and a second end panel, wherein the intermediate panelcooperates with the first end panel to define a first set of aperturesthrough which cables can extend and the intermediate panel cooperateswith the second end panel to define a second set of apertures throughwhich cables can extend.
 8. The telecommunications cabinet of claim 7,wherein the internal components comprise: a mounting post removablycoupled to interior surfaces of the housing; a first swing framepivotably mounted to a first side of the mounting post; a second swingframe pivotably mounted to a second side of the mounting post; and amounting bulkhead coupled to the mounting post, the mounting bulkheadextending in the first direction within the interior of the housing fromthe mounting post.
 9. The telecommunications cabinet of claim 7, furthercomprising: an interrupted lip having a length and a width, the lipextending longitudinally along the third edge of the first end panel andextending laterally over the open side from the third edge, the lipdefining an opening adjacent the cable access region of the first endpanel; and an access panel removably coupled to the first lip over theopening.